MBE investiture in Sark
A SARK resident who was made an MBE in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours received his award from Lt-Governor Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder at a special ceremony in the Island Hall yesterday.
Dr Richard Axton was recognised for his services to the island’s heritage and environment.
The ceremony was attended by island officials and members of Dr Axton’s family, his colleagues and friends.
‘Sark is distinctive in so many ways and I am very glad to have been able to contribute to the preservation of its unique culture and historical landscape, as key elements in a better future,’ said Dr Axton.
‘One of Sark’s great strengths is the skill and enthusiasm of its voluntary sector. For me, this award is also a recognition of all those people who freely give their time and effort for the benefit of Sark. If I’ve acted as a catalyst for that then I’m very pleased.’
Sir Ian said he was delighted to present the award on behalf of Her Majesty. It was unusual for MBE investitures to take place away from the palace, but it was poignant that it had happened in Sark.
‘Richard’s contribution to Sark has been truly remarkable and has created an authentic and enduring legacy.’
Dr Axton annually raises funds for the archaeological excavation of Sark by a visiting academic expert as well as providing logistical support and physical labour for the work.
He has led La Societe Sercquaise since 2005 and was also instrumental in achieving Ramsar status for Sark’s Gouliot Caves.
Sark’s recognition as the world’s first dark sky island came about thanks to Dr Axton’s work helping to create the Sark Observatory.
With his late wife, Dr Marie Axton, he saved countless manuscript books and documents to establish a history of Sark life, legal proceedings and feudal land tenure where no academic record existed and the findings were published through the UK Public Records Office.
More recently he formed Sark Community Dairy as a charitable trust and in 2020 obtained planning permission, found dairy tenants and started fundraising for a green field dairy farm which is due to open soon.
